Healthy Jackson

What is HealthyJackson?
Why was HealthyJackson created?
How can residents get involved in HealthyJackson?
What tools does HealthyJackson offer Jackson residents?
Does it cost money to join HealthyJackson?
How long will this program last?
Which other organizations are involved?
Are similar initiatives underway in communities other than Jackson?
Is HealthyJackson different from existing health programs in the Jackson community?
Why should I become a partner in the fight for a healthier Jackson?
Why are Jackson employers involved?
Does HealthyJackson reach Jackson’s children and young adults?
What if I can’t afford medical care for myself or my family?
How can I get more information about HealthyJackson?

Q: What is HealthyJackson?
A: HealthyJackson is a community-wide initiative that brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies and a broad group of Jackson residents, health care providers, employers, and community leaders to help reduce the incidence of chronic disease in Hinds County and build a community in which healthy living is the easy choice.

By offering access to professional information and education, physician-approved health screenings, and a wide array of nutrition and fitness events, HealthyJackson supports community members’ commitment to making healthier choices for themselves, their families, and the entire Jackson community.

Q: Why was HealthyJackson created?
A: Chronic diseases – long-lasting illnesses or conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, mental illness, cancer, and diabetes – are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. These diseases account for seven out of every 10 deaths and affect the quality of life of 90 million Americans.

The number of people in our own community who are burdened by chronic disease is substantial. Nearly two in five Hinds County residents – almost 100,000 people – suffer from at least one chronic disease, according to a recent study by Altarum Institute in collaboration with Warren Jones, MD, FAAFP of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. These diseases cost the Jackson-area community more than $500 million per year in health care bills, lost productivity, and related costs. Every year, more than 1,000 Hinds County residents die because of chronic disease.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. The tools for preventing chronic diseases are well established and well known. Maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity can prevent or delay the onset of most chronic diseases and may also lessen the effects of depression – a condition that burdens millions of Americans.

That’s why America's pharmaceutical companies have teamed up with Jackson residents, health care providers, employers, and community leaders to create HealthyJackson – a program that educates the people of Jackson on health and wellness and seeks to reduce the burden of chronic disease on the Jackson community.

Q: How can residents get involved in HealthyJackson?
A: Residents can pledge to make Jackson a healthier, more active community by:

• Signing up at www.HealthyJackson.org
• Calling toll free at 1-866-HLTHYJX (1-866-458-4959)
• Attending a HealthyJackson event
  

Residents who log on to www.HealthyJackson.org can find information to help them achieve their personal diet and exercise goals. All HealthyJackson participants qualify for prizes and discounts from local businesses on healthy food and fitness items.

Q: What tools does HealthyJackson offer Jackson residents?
A: Making lifestyle changes to improve health is simple – but it isn’t always easy to do. HealthyJackson makes healthy living easy for people of all ages by offering:

• A highly interactive, user-friendly Web site (www.HealthyJackson.org and español.HealthyJackson.org) to help residents understand and manage their health..
  
• A toll-free number for residents to order a free HealthyJackson toolkit stocked with fun ideas for fitness, nutrition, and healthy living: 1-866-HLTHYJX (1-866-458-4959).
• Education and health screenings to raise awareness of risk factors and effective disease prevention strategies.
• Nutrition and fitness events to promote diet and exercise.

Q: Does it cost money to join HealthyJackson?
A: No! There are many ways to get involved in HealthyJackson – and they are all free. Here are a few ideas:

• Attend a HealthyJackson event and make a commitment to improve your health.
• Let the games begin! Get your school or workplace involved in some “healthy” competition.
• Get moving toward health! Visit www.HealthyJackson.org to learn about the many health, fitness, and nutrition resources in your community or call toll-free 1-866-HLTHYJX (1-866-458-4959) to order a free HealthyJackson toolkit stocked with fun ideas for fitness, nutrition, and healthy living.
  

Q: How long will this program last?
A: HealthyJackson is an ongoing initiative that is committed to making Jackson a place where health, wellness, and disease prevention are important parts of everyday life. The benefits of healthy living last a lifetime! By bringing together all members of the community who have a stake in Jackson residents’ health – community leaders, employers, health care providers, patient and community groups, and residents – we believe the program will build momentum to fundamentally change how disease and prevention is approached throughout Jackson, both today and tomorrow.

Q: Which other organizations are involved?
A: America’s pharmaceutical companies have teamed up with a broad group of Jackson residents, health care providers, employers and other groups in the community, and community leaders to create HealthyJackson, a citywide effort to improve the health of the Jackson community. The list of partners is growing and already includes several groups. See the full list of partners >>

If your organization is interested in becoming a partner in the fight for a healthier Jackson, please send an email to info@healthyjackson.org.

Q: Are similar initiatives underway in communities other than Jackson?
A: HealthyJackson is a model program that educates the people of Jackson on health and wellness and seeks to reduce the burden of chronic disease on the Jackson community. America’s pharmaceutical companies will continue to work with patients, doctors, employers, and community leaders in Jackson and in communities across the country to spread the word about the importance of health, wellness, and disease prevention.

Q: Is HealthyJackson different from existing health programs in the Jackson community?
A: Many groups in Jackson have an interest in and a responsibility for improving Jackson residents’ health, including community leaders, employers, health care providers, patient and community organizations, and residents. HealthyJackson brings all of these groups together to work side-by-side to improve disease prevention and wellness. It builds on existing community resources and health programs by offering residents the opportunity to find out more about the health, fitness, and nutrition resources in their community and how to use these resources to improve health. In addition, HealthyJackson works together with its partners to expand access to healthy resources in the community.

Q: Why should I become a partner in the fight for a healthier Jackson?
A: Jackson needs everyone to get involved to make a difference in the community’s health and wellness. Many Americans do not have all the information they need to make good decisions about health. In order to build a healthier, more active Jackson, we need health care providers, community leaders, civic groups, employers, and residents of all ages to reach out to friends and family and share what we know about good health behaviors and how to avoid chronic disease.

Q: Why are Jackson employers involved?
A: Jackson needs everyone to get involved to make a difference in the community’s health and wellness. Physical and mental health in the workplace is critical to happy and healthy living and a more productive work force. Many Jackson residents are employed and spend more than one-third of the day at work. If workplaces enable and support health needs – and if Jackson residents learn how to make good decisions about their health at work – the community is more likely to make healthy choices in all parts of life.

HealthyJackson offers Jackson residents and employers the opportunity to take greater control of workplace health by:

• Offering tools and resources to employers and employees.
• Encouraging employers and employees to become advocates for health and wellness in the workplace.
• Helping others to understand steps they can take to reduce stress and balance work with the rest of life.

Q: Does HealthyJackson reach Jackson’s children and young adults?
A: Yes! The partners involved in HealthyJackson understand the importance of getting children on board with healthy living now. That’s why HealthyJackson is working with local schools, community groups, and political leaders to provide better opportunities for healthy, nutrition, and fitness for all children in Jackson.

Q: What if I can’t afford medical care for myself or my family?
A: If you don’t have insurance and have trouble paying for your medical care or medicine, you may be able to get help.

For example, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a program developed by America’s pharmaceutical companies that helps people who can’t afford their medicines get help through the public or private assistance program that’s right for them. Call 1-888-4PPA-NOW or visit PPARx.org to see if you may qualify for help.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance also has a list of health clinics in your community that may be able to provide assistance on its Web site, www.pparx.org.

Q: How can I get more information about HealthyJackson?
A: For more information and to find out how you can improve your own health and join the fight for a healthier Jackson, call toll-free 1-866-HLTHYJX (1-866-458-4959) to order a free HealthyJackson toolkit stocked with fun ideas for fitness, nutrition, and healthy living.